ALL THINGS AUSTRIA

[matty40s]

I know its not Austria, but just as pertinent to the Alps situation.

https://newrepublic.com/article/154261/climate-change-italy-alps-ruins-ski-resorts

I think the snow seasons will shorten, but also have record snowfalls as seen in the last few years, due to the raised water levels in the atmosphere. This will not help ski resorts, as more investment in avalanche controls and piste-ing equipment will have to be utilised to make the most of the snow when it actually comes in those amounts.

[SMU]

June > July Sat rep

Look at Pyrenees & Alps snow

[carinthian]

On 08/08/2019 at 20:47, carinthian said:

Hi Steve, all very depressing. We still have one Gondala open on the Stubaier Glacier in the range 2900m-3200m. 30cm of snow cover and temp of 7c. Should be just enough to stay open for the rest of this summer. A huge amount of fresh snowfall last winter at 2000m and above. Maybe , the extra moisture in the atmosphere created by GW . We experienced record  snowfall  depths at height last winter with rapid Imd- summer melt to follow. We will have to see if this trend continues with the recent decline of winter euro high. Also noted locally record high temps in 1500-2500m range this past few weeks.

C

Had a recent trip up the Kitzsteinhorn  above the Alpincentre and was encouraged to see some deep overhangs of snow retention patches at 2600m. They should survive the rest of the summer now, especially with a continuation of much cloud cover in these parts for this summer. So one bit of good news of last years heavy snow mass that survives the general warmer trend !

C

[carinthian]

The magnificent Pollatal Valley yesterday, a nature reserve that runs to the back of the Katschberg. A great place for a summer hike that runs for 6km towards the base of the Ankogelgruppe that has its highest peak at 3360m. In the summer a little train shunts its way up the valley.  Lots of rare breed cattle just meander the pastures. Beautiful peaceful place.

C

[SalopWatcher]

Didn't stay in Austria this year as spent two weeks in Garmish Partenkirchen - And back in Mid August we went up the Zugspitze from the Austrian side and at the top there was snow and the glacier was open for the kids to sledge on... but compared to photos they had there it looked way more patchy that it seems to have done over the years. 

Your right on storms though. When staying over the last 4 years in the Wildshinou (and once on the Austrian/swizz border) we had only 2/3 days of storms out of the two week. 

This year it happened almost every day, and there were two days where it torrentially rained, hard all day! Can see why that would wash the snow away. Oppresivly close at times too. 

Anyway, loved that part of the world again. Spent time in the Mittenwald, swam in the practically deserted Walchensee, Went on the Highlline 179 near Reutte (AMAZING VIEWS!), Schloss Linderhof and best of all for the kids, up by Munich Therm Erding (massive in door waterpark and Spa). Also only an hour on the train to Munic too. 

Sadly so taken by the mountains have we been in the last 5 years, and as you might not let us back so easy in the future ( ) were looking to see what Canada might offer next summer, but for sure one day will be back to the Alpine slice of happiness. 

[carinthian]

57 minutes ago, carinthian said:

Snow quite widespread this morning in the area with freezing level at 1300m. This latest Winter overview chart below for the middle of next week excites me a lot. Significant snowfalls likely in the Alps. We start our snow portal service on November 1st with advanced forecasting access in preparation for the start of the new season in about 4 weeks, so will keep you updated with views from the team over here with an added interest for Blighty snow predictions thrown in for good measure. Getting exited. Skiis waxed and logs piled to the rafters !

 C

A decaying warm front brought snow this morning. It has now moving through and as the latest forecast 850mb level temp chart from GFS a rise in temp follows into the Austrian Alps. Quite strange now, as the mountain top at 2000m is in clear blue sunshine and temps above freezing but at 1500m , temp remains below freezing and shrouded in dense low cloud. That's mountain weather for you.

C

[carinthian]

Snowfall building up this evening.

C

[SMU]

Saw a video of Austrian Alps snow on FB earlier

[weirpig]

13 hours ago, carinthian said:

Snowfall building up this evening.

C

Yep  looks lovely.  However  Where my Mother in Law lives  its still very mild  the onset of Winter seems to be getting later  in other parts of Central Europe. 

[carinthian]

22 minutes ago, weirpig said:

Yep  looks lovely.  However  Where my Mother in Law lives  its still very mild  the onset of Winter seems to be getting later  in other parts of Central Europe. 

Yes , been very mild here so this Autumn. However, a nice surprise this morning. Think further east will still be in the warmer zone a little while longer. Looks like NW Europes/UK turn for a early colder spell this time.

c

[carinthian]

The road up to the village this morning.

C

[carinthian]

Final one from me this evening. Picture of the village earlier today before the mist moved in.

C

[Sceptical]

8 minutes ago, carinthian said:

Final one from me this evening. Picture of the village earlier today before the mist moved in.

C

Stunning!

[carinthian]

9 hours ago, carinthian said:

Interesting winteroverview chart for the middle of next week, especially for much of Western Europe including a great swathe of the Alpine Regions. This mornings preliminary snow portal forecasting results show a top up total of 75cm in our location by this time next week. Currently we have 40 cm of thick rather heavy snow cover. The more accurate results from the fine mesh model are predicted about 24 hours prior to a snow event, so will have to wait for the day to day details on this forthcoming ( major snow event ) Obviously the day to day synoptic details can change , even with-in a small time scale of less than 102 hours. However, most main models showing a turbulent rather wintry picture for many , including The British Isles . Just for a bit of interest this morning a warm from is affecting parts of Southern Sweden and Finland and producing a amazing temp differential of 35C between the far south of the region and the far North. Will post some picture from the village later, where snow cover is now knee deep !

C

As promised picture of snow in the village. Further to the above post this chart below from UKMO for Tuesday looks like producing some interesting weather in the Alps as that "Warm Med Cyclone " moves north and joins forces with the colder Pm circulation . A strong frontal boundary is bound to develop that is likely send our fine snow mesh model into over drive on Monday. Some of the models showing signs of formation of a Mid- Atlantic Omega Block but not quite getting there as yet to deliver real cold. However, I would say these are great early winter charts showing especially for NW Europe. Hold on to your hats, a great weeks model viewing coming.

C

Edited November 9, 2019 by carinthian

[carinthian]

Final post from me. More pictures of the snow in the village today.

 

[carinthian]

Some stunning pictures taken today around the village.

C

[Allseasons-Si]

Have you got big lungs carinthian!!!

blow some this way

thanks for the nice photo's they look beautiful

Edited November 10, 2019 by Allseasons-si

[carinthian]

This picture taken earlier this morning in the pristine Gontal Valley before the clouds rolled in this afternoon.  Forecast of 45 cm of fresh snow tomorrow and into Wednesday.

C

[carinthian]

On 11/11/2019 at 16:55, carinthian said:

This picture taken earlier this morning in the pristine Gontal Valley before the clouds rolled in this afternoon.  Forecast of 45 cm of fresh snow tomorrow and into Wednesday.

C

Yep, snow arrived overnight. Measured nearly 60cm. Pictures taken this morning and still snowing hard. Get some more later.

C

[carinthian]

Pictures from the village this morning. Love the last one !

C

[carinthian]

How about that for a Advent Tree.

Edited November 15, 2019 by carinthian

[Styx]

A lot of lifestyle advantages of living in Australia but that photo is a sore reminder of what we miss out on at this time of year! 

[Laurence Hill]

12 hours ago, carinthian said:

How about that for a Advent Tree.

Amazing, wish I was there

[carinthian]

More overnight snow in the village. Crazy forecasting at the moment as we are on the frontal boundary between very warm upper air flow just a few miles to the east and colder values to the West. Rain turns to snow and visa versa. The boundary layers looks  ebbing and flowing for some days yet. A forecasters nightmare. 

C

[carinthian]

More pictures from today and more snow to come tonight.

C